Cut-off mechanism for cigarette-machines.



E. D. SMITH.

GUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR CIGARETTE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 16, 1912.

1,0752%. I Patented 0013.7,1913.

3 SHEETS-BHEET l.

E. D. SMITH.

GUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR CIGARETTE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 16, 1912.

'LW5 274 Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

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CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR CIGARETTE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 16, 1912.

I1 ,075,2"Z4. Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

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To ail whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ennunon D. S1urrn, a citizen or the United States, residing at Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cut- Ofi' Mechanism for Cigarette-Machines, of which the following is a specification. V

This invention relates to an improvement in cut-0E mechanism for cigarette machines and is particularly adapted for use H1 connection with high speed cigarette machines of the continuous rod type. Machmes of this type usually include a printing mechanism which prints a strip of paper as it comes from a reel during the operation of the machine, ship of paper being afterward carried up around the cigarette rod and pasted or crimped to form the wrapper of the cigarette. The cigarette rod forming mechanism of such machines includes an endless traveling belt which contacts with and advances the cigarette rod and its wrapper through the machine by frictional contact. There is more or less slip between the belt of the cigarette rod forming mechanism and the cigarette rod and its wrapper in low-speed machines. In high speed machines this slip is more pronounced. When a cigarette rod formed in a machine of this type is cut up by the-cut-ofi' mechanism lnto individual cigarettes, it is important that the mark or device rinted upon the (litterent cigarettes be all equidistant from the end thereof; otherwise they would present an unsightly appearance when packed in boxes for the market. The relative slip of the endless belt and the cigarette rod in the cigarette rod forming mechanism results in varying the position of the mark or device with -respect to the ends of the individual cigarette. The slip itself varies in accordance with the varying atmospheric conditionswhichaifect the tobacco in the ciga:

rette rod, either swelling it or causing it to In machines of this type heretofore known, it has been customary to mount the cutofi' mechanism in a fixed position and a definite distance from the cigarette rod forming mechanism. In such constructions there is no means for overcoming the defect due to the slipping in the cigarette rod forming mechanism.

The present invention has for its main ob- Specification of semis Eatent.

Patented @ct. a, rats.

Application filed September 16, 1912. Serial Ito. 729,465.

je'ct the production of a machine embodymg a 01 aret'te rod forming mechanism and a cut-o mechanism, and means whereby the two mechanisms are caused to cooperate to vary the position of the cut-o'fi in accordance with any slipping which may take place in the cigarette rod forming. mechanism.

A further object is the production of a device of the general character just men- A further object is the production of a v machine of the general character mentioned in which the cigarette wrapper is creased, the creasin mechanism and the cut-ofi' mechanism being together movable with respect to the cigarette rod forming mecha nlsm.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain constructions, combinations and arts which will be hereinafter fully descrlbed and then specifically set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts, F igu're 1 is a plan view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of. the device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation taken onthe line 44 in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation on the line 5-5.9} Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional elevat-iontaken on the line 66 in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a detail plan view of the creasing mechanism; and Fig. 8 is a detail cross-sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 7

In carrying the invention into efi'ect, there is provided a bed, a cigarette rod formin imechanism supported-by the bed, a cut-0 mechanism supported by the bed and cooperating with the cigarette rod forming mechanism, and means for producing a relative bodily movement of the cigarette rod forming mechanism and the cut-ofi mechanism to vary the coiipera-tive relation of said mechanisms, and all of these mechanisms and means may vary in construction within wide limits. In the best constructions, there is further provided a carrier movable upon'the bed and sup orting the cutoff mechanism and'being a a ted tobe moved to vary the cooperative re ation of the cigarette rod forming mechanism and the cutoff mechanism while the machine is in operation, and this carrier may also vary in construction within wide limits. In the best constructions also, there is" provided a creasing mechanism cotiperating with the cut-off mechanism and having the same adjustability with respect to the ci arette rod formin mechanism as the cut-0% mechanism itsel and this creasing mechanism may also vary in construction within wide limits.

In the device selected to illustrate the invention, there is. provided a bed 1 consisting of a box-like structure adapted to inclose the main operating gearing by means of which the machineis driven. Since a more detailed description of the bed is unnecessary to a full understanding of the present invention, it is omitted in the interest of brevit It may be here remarked, however, that t e bed 1 will be designed to support not only the'cut-off mechanism but the cigarette rod forming mechanism, the printing mechanism and the various other mechanisms necessary in a machine adapted to There is further provided a cigarette rod forming .mechanism'which is supported by the bed. The articular construction of the cigarette rod orming mechanism lies wholly outside of the present invent-ion and it will therefore be neither illustrated nor described in detail herein. The cigarette rod forming mechanism," however, w1ll in any case 1nclude a rod forming tube or bar marked 2 which is supported by the bed of the machine in the usual manner. There is further provided a cut-off mechanism supported by the bed 1 and which cooperates with the cigarette rod forming mechanism to sever the continuous rod passing through the latter into individual cigarettes. As shown,

. the cut-ofi mechanism is mounted upon a carrier consisting of a'plate 3 movable in Ways 4: formed in the upper surface of the bed 1. The carrier is rabbeted and held in place by means of gibs 5. Bolted to the under side of the carrier 3 is a bracket 6 through which is threaded a screw 7 which projects beyond the end of the bed 1. Upon the projecting end of the screw is secured a hand wheel 8 by means of which the screw may be operated. A collar 9 is provided for the screw inside (if the end of the bed, the

function of this collar being to prevent outon the same machine.

, meagre ward longitudinal movement of the screw. It will be readily understood that by the means just described the carrier 3 may. be

moved in a direction parallel with the axis of the tube 2 of the cigaretterod forming mechanism, and it'is obvious that any mechanism mounted upon the carrier will be moved in'a like manner.

Depending from the underside of the carrier 3 is a second bracket 10 having formed therein a vertical bearing. 11 and a horizontal bearing 12. Journaled .in the horizontal bearing 12 is a short shaft carrying at one end a spur gear 13 and atthe other. end a miter gear 14. Thespur gear 13 is in constant mesh with a wide faced driving gear 15 mounted upon'shaft 16 which is one of the main power shaft's'of the machine. By an inspection of Fig. 2, it.

will be readily seen that the carrier 3 and the bracket 10 may be moved within limits in either direction without throwing the gear 13 out of mesh with the wide faced gear 15. The miter gear 14 is in mesh with a second miter gear 17 pinned or otherwise fastened to a vertical shaft 18 which is journaled in the bearing 11 before. referred to. Upon the upper end of the shaft 18 'is .fixed a'wheel 19. The upper face of this wheel 1 is countersunk. and provided with a slide 20 which is held in position by means of gibs 21 screwed or otherwise fastened to the wheel 19. This slide 20 is adjustable by means'of two screws 22 (see Fi 5.) The slide further carries an upstanding .post 23 located near one of .its ends. It will be readily understood that by the construction justdescribed, the positionof the post 23 with respect to the axis of the shaft 18 may be adjusted. This is necessary when ciga. rettes of difi'erent lengths are to be made J ournaled upon the post 23 is ing rod 24 which is also journaled upon a stud 25 fixed in a dove-tailed slide 26 which is movably mounted upon a corresponding dove-tailed block 27, which block is secured to the carrier 3 by means of screws 28. The

slide 23 carries theknife which severs' the.

continuous cigarette rod into individual cigarettes. It will be readily understood that by means of the mechanism just described the slide 26 and the knife will be given the to-and-fro movement which is necessary to produce the desired efiectand which is well known inthe' art.

For the purpose of cutting the continuous cigarette rod into individual lengths, there is provided a rotating knife 29 fixed upon a shaft 30, which shaft is journaled in beara connectings 31 formed on'a lever bracket 32. The a shaft 30 is directly over the path of move ment of the cigarette rod as it is advanced from the cigarette rod forming -.mechanism. The bracket 32 is provided with a hub 33 from the slide 26 before referred to.

within which is fixed a stud 34 (see Fig. 5), which is provided with cone bearings at 35: These bearings coiiperate with cone studs 36 which are clamped in uprights 37 risIi pIg e studs 36 and bearings 35 form the fulcrum of the lever bracket 32 and said bracket is adapted to be oscillated on said studs. The bracket 32 has a rearwardly projecting arm 38 to which a collar 39 is clamped. This collar 39 is en aged by the upper end of a connecting r0 40. The lower end of the connecting rod 40 is pivoted to one end of a lever 4142, which lever has a hub 43 intermediate its ends. The hub 43 is journaled upon a stud 44 fixed in a vertical slide 45. This slide is adapted to be moved longitudinally in a bracket 46 rising from the carrier 3 before referred to. There is further provided a screw 47 which engages the slide and the bracket 46 as is clearly shown in Fig. 6 and which has an operating knob 48 fixed to its upper end. The arm 42 of the lever 4142 carries a stud 49 upon which is mounted a bowl 5O engaging a cam 51 formed on the under side of the wheel 19 before referred to. Cotiperating with the rotating knife 29 is a ledger plate 52 of well-known construction and which is supported by an arm 53 projecting forwardly from the slide 26 before referred to. The shaft 30 carries at the end opposite the rotating knife 29 a pulley 54 over which runs a belt deriving its motion from a pulley 56 fixed upon a shaft 57, which shaft is journaled in a bracket 58 rising from the bed 1. The shaft 57 derivesits motion from any suitable source of motion, such for instance as one of the main power shafts of the machine not shown.

It will be readily understood that during the operation of the machine the knife'29 rotates continuously and that the mechanism just described produces a rocking movement of the bracket 32 which in turn produces a movement of the operating edge of the rotating knife 29across the path of movement of the advancing cigarette rod in a manner well known in the art. It will be further understood that since the fulcrumed stud 44 of the lever 4142 is movable by means of the screw 47 and knob 48,

the knife may be adjusted transversely; that is to say, across the'path of movement of the cigarette rod, while the machine is in. operation.

For the purpose of creasing the cigarette when desired, there is provided a creasing device supported by and movable with the carrier and means for throwingthe creasing device into action simultaneously with the forward movement of the cut-off mechanism. This device includes a tubular guide 59. the axis of which is in aline with the axis of the ledger plate before referred to..

and supports the trough 61.

trough 61 is a creasing member .62 located.

immediately over the'trou'gh. This member is secured to a lever 6364 which is fulcrumed at 65 to a suitable boss formed on a bracket 66 which extends from the slide 26 A spring 6'7 coiled around a stud 68 immediately to the rear of the trough 61 and creasing member 62 serves to normally keep said trough and said member apart. The rear arm 64 of the lever 63-64 carries a bowl 69; Located in the path of movement of the bowl 69 is a spring pressed stud 70 mounted upon one end of a bellcrank 7172, which bellcrank is fulcrumed at 73. As the slide .26 moves forward, the bowl 69 rides up over the head of the stud 70, thus forcing the creasing member 62 down toward the trough 61 against the action of the spring 67 thereby creasing the severed cigarette as it moves forward. For the purpose of preventing a. downward movement of the creasing member 62 (luring the reverse or reafwar movement of the slide'26, the stud 70 is retracted from the path of movement of the bowl 69 when the latter is retreating. This is accomplished in the following manner: To the upper end of the arm 72 of the bellcrank 71-72 is pivoted a, connecting rod 74, which rod is also pivoted to one arm 75 of a bellcrank lever 75-76. This bellcrank lever 75-76 is fulcrumed at 77 to the slide 26, and the arm 76 carries a pair of bowls 78 and 79, one of which is adapted to be engaged at the proper time by'the cam 51 before referred to, which cam is located on the under side of the wheel 19. The two bowls 78 and 79 are provided so that one of them will be in the proper position to operate the stud 70 irrespective of the adjust- .ment of the carrier with respect to the cigarette has been creased, it is advanced through a guiding tube 80 suitably supported on a bracket 81 rising from the bed of the'machine. From the guiding tube 80 it falls upon a traveling belt 82 of a construction and operation well known in the art.

In view of the foregoing, a detailed description of the operation of the device is deemed unnecessary, and is therefore omitted in the interest of brevity.

It will be understood that changes and variations may be made in the structure by means of which the invention is carried into anism supported by the bed, a cut-o anism supported by the bed andhaving a movement of the cigarette rod forming mechanism and the cut-ofi mechanism to vary the cooperative relation of said mechanisms.

2-. In a cigarette machine, the combination witha bed, of a cigarette rod forming mechanism supported by the bed, a cut-ofi' mechanism supported by-the bed and cooperating with the cigarette rod forming mechanism, and means for producing a relative bodily movement -of the cigarette rod forming mechanism and the cut-01f mechanism to vary the cooperative relation of .said mechanisms while they are in operation.

' 3. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a bed, of a cigarette rod formin mecgmec shearing device cooperatingwith the cigarette rod forming mechanism said shearing device havinga to-and-fro movement with respect to the cigarette rod forming mechanism, and means for producing a relative bodily movement of the cigarette rod forming mechanism and the cut-01fmechanism as a whole to vary the cooperative relation of said mechanisms.

4.- In a cigarette machine, the combination with a bed, of a cigarette rod formin mechanism supported by the bed, a cut-o mechanism supported by the bed and cooperating with the clgarette rod forming mechanism,

' means for producing a relative bodily movevment of thecigaret-te rod forming mechanism and the cut-off mechanism to vary the cooperative relation of sald mechanlsms, and

' means for producing a transverse adjustment of the cut-off mechanism while said cut-off mechanism is in operation.

5. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a bed, of a cigarette rod formin mechanism supported by the bed, a cut-o mechanism supported by the bed and cooperating with the cigarette rod forming mechanism,

means for producing a relative bodily movement of the cigarette rod forming mechanism andthe cut-ofi' mechanism to vary the cooperative relation of said mechanisms while they are in operation, and means for producing a transverse adjustment of the cut-ofi mechanism while said cut-ofi' mechanism is in operation.

6. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a bed, of a cigarette rod formin mechanism supported by the bed, a cut-0E mechoreen;

anism supported by the bed and cooperating with the ci arette rod forming mechanism,

and means or producing .a bodily movement of the cut-ofi' mechanismwithrespect to the cigarette rod forming mechanism to vary the cooperative relation of said mechanisms.

7'. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a-bed, ofia cigarette rod formin mechanism supported by-the bed, a cut-o mechanism supported by the bed and cooperating with the of arette rod formin and means .or producing a ho ily movement of the cut-0E mechanism .with respect to the the cooperative relation of said mechanisms while they. are in operation.

8. In acigarette machine, the combination with a bed, of a cigarette rod forming mechanism supported by-thebed, a carrier movable upon the bed, a 'cut-oE mechanism supported by the carrier and cooperating with the cigarette rod forming mechanism, and

means for producing a bodily movement of the carrier to vary the cooperative relation of said mechanisms.

9. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a bed, of a cigarette rod forming mech' anism supported by the bed, a carrier movable upon the bed, a cut-off mechanism sup ported by the carrier and cooperating with the cigarette rod forming mechanism, and means for moving the carrierin a direction parallel to the axis of the cigarette rod forming mechanism to vary the cooperative relation of said mechanisms.

10. In a cigarettemachine, the combination with a bed, of a cigarette rod forming mechanism supported by the bed, a carrier movable upon the bed, a cut-ofi mechanism wit the cigarette formingmchamsm, an a screw cooperating with the bed and car- .rier for Ymoving the carrier in a direction parallelto-theaxisj of the cigarette rod formmg mechanism tojvary the cooperative relation of said mechanisms.

11. In a-cigarette machine, the combina tion with a. bed, of'a cigarette rod forming mechanismsupported by the bed, a carrier movable. upon the bed,.a cut-ofli' mechanism includinga shearing. device supported by the carrier and cooperating with the cigarette rod forming mechanism, av drivin mechanism supported bysthe carrier an ada ted topro' ing with the bed and carrier to move said carrier in a direction, parallel with the axis of the cigarette rod forming mechanism to vary the cotiperative relation of said mechanlsms.

supported bythe carrier and cooperatin uce a to-and-fro movement oft e shearing device, and a screw coopera-tmechanism, A

cigarette rod forming mechanism to vary 12. In a cigarette machine, the combina tion with a bed, of acigarette rod forming mechanism supported by the bed, a carrier movable upon the bed, a cut-ofl mechanism Cir including a shearing device supported by the carrier and cooperating with the cigarette rod forming mechanism, a driving mechanism supported by the carrier and adapted to produce a to-and-fro movement of the shearing device, and a screw cooperating with the bed and carrier to move said carrier in a direction parallel with the axis of the cigarette rod forming mechanism to vary the cooperative relation of said mechanisms, and means for transversely adjusting the shearing device while in operation.

13. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a bed, of a cigarette rod forming mechanism supported by thebed, a carrier movable upon the bed, a cut-off mechanism including a shearing device supported by the carrier and cooperating with the cigarette rod forming mechanism, a driving mechanism supported by the carrier and adapted to produce a to-and-fro movement of the shearing device, a screw cooperating with the bed and carrier to move said carrier in a direction parallel with the axis of the cigarette rod forming mechanism to vary the cooperative relation of said mechanisms, and a screw actuated device for transyersely adjusting the shearing device while 1n operation.

14. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a bed, of a cigaretterod forming mechanism supported by the bed, a cut-01f mechanism supported by the bed and cooperating with the cigarette rod forming mechanism, means for producing a relative bodily movement of the cigarette rod form'- ing mechanism and the cut-ofi mechanism to vary the cooperative relation of said mechanism, and a creasing device supported by.

and movable with the cut-off mechanism.

15. In a cigarette machine, the combination with'a bed, of a cigarette rod forming mechanism supported by the bed,a cut-off mechanism supported by the bed and cooperating with the cigarette rod forming mechanism and including a shearing device, means for producing a to-and-fro movement of the shearing device, means for throwing the shearing device into action during the forward movement of the cut-ofi mechanism, means for moving the cut-off mechanism to vary its cooperative relation with the cigarette rod forming mechanism, a creasing device supported by and movable with the cut-ofi' mechanism, and means for throwing the creasing mechanism into operation during the forward movement of the cut-off mechanism,

16. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a bed, of a cigarette rod forming mechanism supported by the bed, a carrier movable upon the bed, a'cut-otf mechanism supported by the carrier and including a shearing device cooperating with the cigarette rod forming mechanism, a driving mechanism supported by the carrier for producing a to-and-fromovement of the shearing device, a screw cooperating with the bed and carrier to produce a bodily movement of the carrier to vary the cooperative relation of the cigarette rod forming mechanism and cut-off mechanism, a creasing device supported by and movable with the carrier, and means for simultaneously throwing the shearing device and creasing device into ac tion during the forward movement of the cut-off mechanism.

17. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a bed, of a cigarette rod forming mechanism supported by the bed, a carrier movable upon the bed, a cut-01f mechainsm supported by the carrier and including a shearing device cooperating with the cigarette rod forming mechanism, a driving mechanism supported by the carrier for producing a to-and-fro movement of the shearing device, a screw cooperating with the carrier and bed to produce a bodily movement of the carrier while said mechanisms are in operation to vary the cooperative relation of the cigarette rod forming mechanism and cut-off mechanism, a creasing device supported by and movable with thecarrier, and means shearing device and creasing device into action during the forward movement of the cut-off mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ELBERON D. SMITH.

Witnesses:

SYDNEY I. PRESCOTT, FRANK H. VIoK, Jr.

for simultaneously throwing the- 

